Säätytalo (House of Estates)

The Säätytalo, or House of Estates, was a historical political institution in Finland and other Nordic countries that existed from the late Middle Ages until the 19th century. It was a legislative assembly made up of representatives from four social estates: the nobility, clergy, burghers (merchants and townspeople), and peasants. Each estate had specific rights and roles in governance, particularly in taxation and legislation. The House of Estates served as a platform for these social groups to influence national decisions, functioning as an early form of parliamentary government before modern parliamentary systems developed.